Ted-Jan Bloemen has announced his retirement from speed skating after finishing ninth in the 10,000-meter event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
According to nu.nl, the 39-year-old skater, originally from South Holland and competing for Canada, described the race as a fitting end to his career. “This was my last race,” Bloemen said after competing in the Milano Speed Skating Stadium. Although he expected to be emotional immediately, he noted that the tears might come later.
Before the 10,000-meter race, Bloemen had been somewhat uncertain about his retirement, leaving open the possibility of competing in the World Allround Championships in Thialf in March. However, he confirmed that he will not participate. Reflecting on his performance, he acknowledged that his physical limits at 39 played a role but expressed satisfaction with the way he concluded his professional skating journey, especially having his family present to support him.
Bloemen spoke about the sacrifices his family made during his career and the importance of their presence at his final event. “I have come home every day exhausted from training. The whole family has been involved in my skating career, so it is very special that they are here now,” he said.
Born in Leiderdorp, the athlete initially competed for the Netherlands until 2014 before switching to represent Canada, where his father was born. Bloemen’s career highlights include winning Olympic gold in the 10,000 meters and silver in the 5,000 meters at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, as well as securing a single world title in the 5,000 meters at the Salt Lake City World Championships two years later.
Looking ahead, Bloemen expressed his intention to remain involved in speed skating beyond his active athletic career. He emphasized the responsibilities of coaching, not only for oneself but also for others, and believes he can contribute significantly to the sport in that capacity.
